Casket.



W. C. WATKINS.

GASKET.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 27. IQIe.

1,226,038, Patented May `15, 1917.

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WILLIAM C. WATKINS, F WESTQN, OHIO.

GASKET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May i5, Mii?.

Application filed March 27, 1916. Serial No. 86,968.

To MZ Izii/"1.0m 'it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, ViLLIAM C. l/VATKINS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Weston, in the county of Wood and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Casket; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact def f scription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked ,thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to undertaking devices, and particularly to a casket.

The object of my invention is the provi- .if v)sion of an article of the character described which is simple, strong, and durable in its construction, inexpensive ,to manufacture, occupies a minimum of space and embodies in a single article the advantages of both a casket and a valut. Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description.

The invention is fully described lin the following specification, and while, ,in its broader aspect it is capable of embodiment in numerous forms, a preferred embodiment thereof is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,-

Figure l is a perspective view of a device embodying the invention with the parts thereof in assembled relation. Fig. 2 is a central, vertical, longitudinal section thereof with the securing bolts removed. Fig. 3 is a central, vertical cross-section thereof. Fig. 4 is a perspective sectional view of one end portion of the device with the vault member removed, and Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the center bridging member of the casket.

Referring to the drawings, l designates the base of a device embodying the invention, which base is substantially flat in form and provided on its top adjacent to its edge with an upstanding flange or wall 2, which coperates with the base to form the bottom and side wall, respectively, of the casket, being of suitable size and shape for lsuch purpose. The top of this casket is preferably closed by a plurality of removable covers or cap members, three in the present instance, 3, 3 designating the end members and 4 the center members. The center member 4, which is held in position on the casket by a lapping of the adjacent ends of the members 3, 3 over respective edges thereof, forms a center bridging member or support for the casket inclosing member, hereinafter 'referred to, and for such purpose is provided with a pair of transversely spaced supporting legs 5, which extend down into the casket at opposite sides thereof and rest on the base l.

rilhe member which cooperates with the base l to form a closure or cover for the casket is designated 6 and is of suitable size and shape for its side wall 7 to telescopically receive the wall 2 of the casket and to rest at its lower or free edge within a trough 8 provided around the edge of the base l without the wall 2. Any suitable cement or sealing agent may be placed in the trough 8 to seal the space between the trough and the edge of the wall 7, as is apparent. When the cover member is in`inclosing relation to the casket the top of the former rests on the bridge-piece 4, which materially and eee tively reinforces the cover against caving in. This is an important feature, as it is not infrequent that the external pressure on a cover causes a caving in of the vault, thus requiring a material reinforcing of such top. With my construction the vault top is not itself reinforced or strengthened with respect to parts thereof, but is strengthened and reinforced by the casket structure.

The flange 9 forming the outer wall of the trough 8 has its top edge turned outward and provided at intervals at the side of the casket with hand-receiving holes 10 to facilitate a carrying of the casket, and also the cover, if mounted over the casket.

The cover 6 is rovided around a side wall thereof with a ange 11, which is disposed above the flange 9 when the parts are in assembled position, and is provided at intervals at the sides of the cover with hand receiving holes l2 to facilitate handling of the cover.

The casket and cover are secured together in assembled relation by bolts 13, one being located at each end thereof, in the present instance, and connecting the flanges 9 and 11. In the manufacture of my combination casket and vault it is preferable to cast the parts thereof from metal, although the parts may be made in any other manner or from any other material without departing from the spirit of the invention.

lt is apparent that I have provided a simple, strong, durable and inexpensive combination casket and cover or closure therefor having a common bottom or base for the two parts and that the parts are capable of being easily and quickly assembled and hermetically sealed, thus enhancing the practicability and commercial value of devices of this character.

I wish it understood that my invention is not limited to any specific construction, Y

therefrom, and means cooperating with said hand hold parts to secure the base and closure means together. Y

2. In combination, a casket member having an open top, removable closure parts for said top, one of said parts having supporting legs projecting down into the casket at opposite sides thereof, and a vault member vfor telescopically fitting down over the casket member and resting at its top on the top closureY having said suporting legs.

3. In combination, a casket. member, an inverted U-shaped part removably mounted in said member and serving to partially close the top of said member, and an inclosing member telescopically fitting over said casket member 'and resting at its top on said part.

inclosing member for telcscoping down over said casket member, flanges projecting, respectively, from the side walls of said members in vertically spaced relation and forming hand holds, and means connecting said flanges to secure the memoers in assembled relation. Y

5. A casket comprising a base having an integral endless flange rising therefrom to form side and end walls and having an endless trough without said flange, primary closure means for the top of the body receiving chamber formed by said flange and base, and secondary closure means telescoping over said flange and primary closure means and resting on the latterwith its lower edge seating in said trough said base and secondary closure means each having hand hold forming parts projecting laterally therefrom.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM C. WATIIINS.

Copies-of this patent may be obtained for five cents,v each, by addressing the. Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. G.

4. In combination, a casket member, anV 

